What Sticks to Suede Fabric?

Written by anise hunter | 13/05/2017

A popular material for shoes and boots, suede can be a challenge to keep clean. (Man"s suede boots image by terex from Fotolia.com)

Suede fabric is a fabric that some people shy away from because it has a reputation for being hard to clean. It is often a part of deluxe living room furniture, jackets and shoes. However, there are a few specific things that will stick to suede. If you enjoy wearing suede, be prepared for these potential spills and you will find that your suede clothes are simpler to clean.

Grease and Oil Products Stick to Suede

If you eat on your suede furniture, be prepared for oil stains. (micro suede rocker recliner image by James Phelps from Fotolia.com)

Grease from a bicycle or from food will stick to suede products. The grease makes damp-looking patches that can be difficult to remove. If you eat on your suede furniture, you will need to be prepared to remove oil stains from the suede. First, blot up the oil if possible, but avoid spreading it around. Use an up and down motion to remove it. Then sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder on the stain to soak up the grease.

Salt Sticks to Suede

Unfortunately for those who love to wear suede boots in the wintertime, salt will stick to suede and stain it. Packed snow from the side of the road will catch on the sides and bottom of suede shoes and boots and will soak in, staining your footwear with a white crust when it dries.

The best approach to the salt problem is to avoid it altogether. Put the suede shoes in your bag and put them on once you get indoors. If your suede shoes do get stained by salt, use a toothbrush or pet brush with some white vinegar to scrub the stain.

Glue and Stickers Stick to Suede

Avoid mixing glue and suede products, since glue sticks well to suede. (glue bottle image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com)

Those who love scrapbooking or who work with small children need to be wary of glue and stickers. These will attach themselves to suede clothing and shoes, and they are hard to remove without leaving residue. To remove a sticker, peel it if possible. If this is not possible, use a sponge to make it slightly damp and then peel it off. To remove glue from suede, scrape off as much glue as possible. Dip a sponge in soapy water and remove most of the water until the sponge is simply moist. Dab at the rest of the glue to remove it.